• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2010

This study was conducted to find the effects of scapular taping on muscle activities of the scapular rotators and upper trapezius pain in subjects with upper trapezius pain. Fifteen male subjects were recruited from Yonsei University for this study. Muscle activity of upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior was measured using surface electromyography. Visual analog scale was used for measuring upper trapezius pain. The subjects were asked to maintain $90^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion position with holding a 1 kg dumbbell in standing position. Scapular taping was applied over the muscle belly of the upper trapezius and attached parallel with the lower trapezius muscle fibers. For normalization, % maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) was conducted. Paired t-test was applied to compare the muscle activities of scapular rotator and upper trapezius pain before and after applying the scapular taping. The muscle activity of the upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior decreased significantly after tape application (p<.05). However, no significant difference was observed in lower trapezius muscle. The level of pain in the upper trapezius muscle significantly decreased after tape application (p<.05). The results of this study suggest that scapular taping can be used an additional therapy for reducing muscle activity of upper trapezius, serratus anterior and upper trapezius pain during shoulder flexion in patient with upper trapezius pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2024

Background: Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is closely related to imbalance of the rotator cuff (RC) muscles. However, previous studies have only focused on isometric strength. To our knowledge, there has been no study examining potential differences in concentric and eccentric strength and functional strength ratio (FSR) of the RC muscles based on functional parameters related to throwing in with or without SD. Objects: This study aimed to determine whether there was a difference in the RC muscle strength and FSR between the dominant shoulder with SD and the non-dominant shoulder without SD in adolescent baseball players. Methods: Forty adolescent baseball players participated and classified types of SD based on movement patterns using the SD test by two examiners. The isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torque of the internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) were measured and quantified as peak torque to body weight (PT/BW). Also, the FSR was obtained by calculating the strength ratios of eccentric IR to concentric ER (IRecc/ERcon) and eccentric ER to concentric IR (ERecc/IRcon), respectively. Results: There was a significant decrease in the IR and ER PT/BW in the dominant shoulder with SD compared to the non-dominant shoulder without SD (p < 0.05), regardless of contraction types. However, no significant difference was observed in the FSR in both IRecc/ERcon and ERecc/IRcon ratios. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the isokinetic concentric and eccentric PT/BW of the IR and ER muscles were significantly lower in the dominant shoulder with SD than in the nonthrowing shoulder without SD. Therefore, when establishing a strategy for addressing RC muscle weakness in adolescent baseball players with SD, it is essential to consider an approach that accounts for scapular kinematic recovery.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.60-67
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• 2017

Background: Scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) is a common scapular alignment impairment that causes insufficient upward rotation and muscle imbalance, shortened levator scapulae (LS) and rhomboid, and lengthened serratus anterior (SA) and trapezius. A modified shrug exercise (MSE), performing a shrug exercise with the shoulders at $150^{\circ}$ abduction, is known as an effective exercise to increase scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Previous studies revealed that scapular exercise are more effective when combined with trunk stabilization exercises in decreasing scapular winging and increasing scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Objects: The purpose of our study was to clarify the effect of MSE with or without trunk stabilization exercises in subjects with SDRS. Methods: Eighteen volunteer subjects (male=10, female=8) with SDRS were recruited for this experiment. All subjects performed MSE under 3 different conditions: (1) MSE, (2) MSE with an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM), and (3) MSE with an abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM). The muscle thickness of the lower trapezius (LT) and the SA were measured using an ultrasonography in each condition. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the LT, LS, SA, and upper trapezius (UT) muscle activities. Data were statistically analysed using one-way repeated analysis of variance at a significance level of .05. Results: The muscle thickness of the LT and the SA were the significant different in the MSE, MSE with ADIM (MSE+ADIM) and MSE with AEM (MSE+AEM) conditions (p<.05) In both LT and SA, the order of thick muscle thickness was MSE+AEM, MSE+ADIM, and MSE alone. No significant differences were found in the EMG activities of the SA, UT, LS, and LT in all condition. Conclusion: In conclusion, MSE is more beneficial to people with SDRS when combined with trunk stabilization exercises by increased thickness of scapular stabilizer muscles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.121-138
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• 1996

Impingement syndrome is mechanical impingement between the greater tubercle of the humerus and the under surface of the coracoacromial arch, is a common source of shoulder pain in the athletes as well as non-athletes. Several factors contribute to shoulder impingement syndrome, including rotator cuff weakness, capsular tightness, poor scapulohumeral rhythm, and muscle imbalance of the scapular upward rotation force couple. The purpose of this article is to review current concepts of anatomy and biomechanics and the underlying pathomechanics as it relates to evaluation and treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome.